The Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, has announced that the government will reconstruct the demolished statue of the Zugran of the Kusaug Traditional Area in Bawku, as part of broader efforts to restore peace and preserve cultural heritage in the area.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House on Monday, July 21, Dr Boamah reaffirmed government’s commitment to both cultural respect and conflict resolution in the troubled region.

“Let me assure once again that government has decided to take necessary steps to reconstruct the statue of the Zugran of the Kusaug Traditional Area in Bawku while investigations into the incident continue,” he said.

Security Situation Under Control

Dr Boamah also addressed the wider security challenges in Bawku and Alavanyo, acknowledging the fragile nature of the situation but assuring the public that security agencies are firmly in control.

“While the overall internal and external security of Ghana remains stable, we acknowledge that the situation in Bawku and Alavanyo, along with their immediate surroundings, remains quite volatile,” he noted.

According to him, the Ghana Armed Forces have implemented “robust mechanisms” to prevent any potential escalation.

“The Ghana Armed Forces is actively monitoring developments and has put in place robust mechanisms to ensure that any potential escalation is swiftly contained, all in the interest of achieving a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict through dialogue,” he explained.

Joint Military Training to Counter External Threats

Beyond the Bawku issue, Dr Boamah highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening national security, disclosing that Ghana recently participated in a multinational military exercise to address emerging threats.

“To address emerging security threats such as violent extremism and terrorism, as well as other transnational threats, the Ghana Army embarked on a multinational military exercise aimed at enhancing the capacity of participating troops from various countries,” he stated.

Background

On Sunday, July 13, the statue of Bawku Naba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, was pulled down and set ablaze amid rising tensions linked to the long-standing chieftaincy dispute between the Mamprusi and Kusasi communities.

The Government Accountability Series provides a platform for sector ministers to present mid-year updates and preliminary assessments of the government’s performance, as part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability.